Kelowna

After disclosing its intention to suspend operations effective March 16, Ballet Kelowna is thrilled to announce that the ‘little ballet company that could’ will take the stage in communities across BC in the company’s 10th Anniversary Tour as planned this spring.

Photo: Contributed - GlennaTurnbull.com

Previously suspended tour dates in Mission and Coquitlam have been re-instated as well as outreach performances in several Kelowna schools.

In a joint message, Ballet Kelowna President Jamie Maw and Artistic Director David LaHay said, “This temporary financial reprieve allows us to finish our season at the end of April as originally planned. And importantly, it protects our out-of-town presenters while allowing our dancers to take their message across the province.”

The company has experienced an outpouring of community support from individuals and businesses including The Canadian School of Ballet, Chris and Michelle Sorensen and the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation – each of whom has stepped forward to help Ballet Kelowna complete their season.

“Staff will donate time, and board members, sponsors and donors have dug even more deeply,” Maw said. “We would like to thank everyone involved in ensuring this six-week extension.”

“I’m very proud of the entire Ballet Kelowna family and our successful efforts to complete our season as planned. I now ask all of you, our partners in the dance, to help us ensure the legacy continues. Please attend a performance, make a donation or become a member of the Kelowna Ballet Society," says LaHay.

According to Maw, the company is now scheduled to suspend operations at the end of April.

“We will be convening a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Kelowna Art Gallery at 1315 Water Street so that members, dancers, staff, the city, and patrons, donors and the public can objectively express their thoughts about the future of dance in the Okanagan.”

Ballet Kelowna will be celebrating with a free public performance at Orchard Park Shopping Centre on Feb. 23.

The company’s spring tour includes a performance on March 15 at the Kelowna Community Theatre. Flower Power, Ballet Kelowna’s annual garden tour, will be held June 15 with Chris Sorensen of National Bank Financial as title sponsor.

Tickets and more information are available at BalletKelowna.ca.